Stadsgezichten te Goch, 1746 1759

Paulus van Liender made these cityscapes of Goch in 1746. These etchings capture the Dutch city from two distinct vantage points, revealing much about the values of the time. The detailed rendering of the town, with its prominent church and orderly arrangement of buildings, speaks to the importance of civic pride and social order in 18th-century Netherlands. Goch's position on a trade route connecting larger European cities, made it an important economical hub for The Netherlands. The presence of people going about their daily lives – fishing, walking, and working – emphasizes a sense of community. These prints reflect a growing interest in topographical accuracy, fuelled by the rise of cartography and a burgeoning sense of national identity. Understanding the social conditions that gave rise to this imagery requires us to delve into historical maps, city records, and economic data. Such resources allow us to appreciate the subtle ways in which art reflects the world in which it was made.